Author Topic: Experiences with LED's???  (Read 2338 times)

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Offline burmashave

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Experiences with LED's???
« on: October 16, 2006, 08:33:28 PM »
My '77 CB750  runs on the hairy edge of maintaining charge, mostly because of 3 ohm coils and a halogen headlamp.  I've done much testing, and I believe the charging system is finally OK.  I don't think I've got any major loss anywhere, although I want to replace all the wiring if I have time this winter.

That said, I'd like to get some more voltage in the system.  I've seen a few posts from riders who have switched to LED's; however, I'm wondering what kind of LED lamps and where purchased?  What does an equalizer do, and would I need one if I were to replace the turns and brake lights with LED's?  I'd also like to replace my gauge lamps.  Does anyone have experience with that?

TIA,

Will
Quote from: SOHC Digger, RIP
'Ere's whatcha do, Guvna', just throw a couple dookie logs in the hearth and bob's your uncle!
'77 CB750k

Offline Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er

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Re: Experiences with LED's???
« Reply #1 on: October 16, 2006, 10:06:32 PM »
Do you think replacing the bulbs with LEDs will make much of a difference? Have you/anyone removed bulbs and checked before/after voltage? Too bad there isn't a headlight LED.
As of today 3/13/2012 my original owner 75 CB750F has made it through 3 wives, er EX-wives. Free at last.  ;-)

Offline jevfro

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Re: Experiences with LED's???
« Reply #2 on: October 16, 2006, 10:14:00 PM »
I know there are cheap 1156 and 1157 led conversions.  And they work kinda cheap too...  At least I have noticed the don't seem anywhere close to as bright as the standard incandesant bulbs.  I believe the current draw should be much, much lower. 

However, I've seen some super bright leds too.  Mostly on Semi trailers and such...  It's directly related to the size, quality and (mostly) number of leds in each housing.  I noticed the trailers have some wild blinkers sometimes too (the go blink,blink real fast like a cops lights do!) .  I've often wanted to custom make some ultrabright led signals and stop indicators for my cb750 (and my truck and van too since they use the same 1157 bulbs).



Offline burmashave

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Re: Experiences with LED's???
« Reply #3 on: October 16, 2006, 11:05:42 PM »
Do you think replacing the bulbs with LEDs will make much of a difference? Have you/anyone removed bulbs and checked before/after voltage? Too bad there isn't a headlight LED.

According to this post, the difference isn't tremendous, but I think it would put me where I want to be:

halogen replacement headlamp
Quote from: SOHC Digger, RIP
'Ere's whatcha do, Guvna', just throw a couple dookie logs in the hearth and bob's your uncle!
'77 CB750k

Offline csendker

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Re: Experiences with LED's???
« Reply #4 on: October 16, 2006, 11:57:29 PM »
Look here for a thread on my idiot light swap --> http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=7931.msg72438#msg72438
Actually runs --> 1975 CB550-K1
Projects ---> Crusty old boat
Gallery --> http://www.sohc4.us/gallery/v/members/personal/Christopher/?g2_navId=xada3c7ff

78CB750F1

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Re: Experiences with LED's???
« Reply #5 on: October 17, 2006, 01:03:24 AM »
High output LEDs are great for both brake and indicator lights - if you are switching your indicator lights to LEDs, you will have to also change the stock turn signal flasher to an electronic, non load dependent flasher unit, available at any auto parts store.  This is a much more efficient way of allowing your turn signals to flash correctly without using a load equalizer (a load equalizer makes up the difference between the low draw LEDs and the normal draw stock bulbs, therefore defeating your attempt to reduce current draw on your battery).  I recommend that you select high quality LEDs to ensure good visibility - I chose mine from http://www.customdynamics.com/.  Good luck!


Offline burmashave

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Re: Experiences with LED's???
« Reply #6 on: October 17, 2006, 06:57:47 AM »
Thanks, csendker and pariscaferacer!  That's exactly the information I need to get going on this project. 
Quote from: SOHC Digger, RIP
'Ere's whatcha do, Guvna', just throw a couple dookie logs in the hearth and bob's your uncle!
'77 CB750k

Offline csendker

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Re: Experiences with LED's???
« Reply #7 on: October 17, 2006, 07:08:00 AM »
Beats the hell out of the candy-ass, pissing and moaning, soap-opera crap on the Open Forum, huh?
Actually runs --> 1975 CB550-K1
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Offline Bodi

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Re: Experiences with LED's???
« Reply #8 on: October 17, 2006, 07:27:34 AM »
The only bulbs that will make a difference are those that are on all the time - the headlight, tail light, and marker lights. Turn signals take a good shot of power, but are on so rarely that they won't affect charging.
Usually we want a brighter headlight so a lower power one is undesirable. LED headlights are coming but there aren't any yet.
Marker lights can just be disconnected, saving almost 15 Watts of power (0.6A each). If you really like the markers you should get LED conversions.
The tail/stop light uses another 1157 bulb, 7W on tail and 32W on stop. You can't eliminate the tail/stop lamp obviously. The stop light is only on occasionally but it's usually on when stopped and idling with the lowest alternator output. Reducing these loads will help maintain battery charge.
For the tail/stop lamp you need a really bright bulb; that's why the 1157 takes almost as much juice as the stock headlight low beam. You want the stop light to be very noticeable even in bright sun.
I have tried many LED lamp conversion clusters and found them to be, well, a cluster #$%*. Dim, dim, dim, and dimmer - adequate at night but dangerously dim in sunlight. I have not tried the customdynamics.com 38mm cluster claimed to be the brightest cluster made.
I am using the superbrightleds.com Luxeon Star single LED 1157 replacement 1157-RLX3 in a standard Stanley large tail light unit. It is astoundingly bright, stunning at night and more than adequate in sunlight. Even with a single emitter there's enough light bounced around inside the reflector and lens to light up the license plate to an almost legal level (I think white light is required to be legal). It seems strange that one LED is brighter than an array or 30+ LEDS but it is. I'm certain this would beat the customdynamics.com guarantee challenge.
The single LED is not applicable to the marker/turn signal units - you need a right angle LED unit. I have been unable to find a conversion 90 degree LED cluster with enough light to be useful so I just disconnect the markers and use the stock filament bulbs for turn signals. They take 50W or so when flashed ON but as mentioned that load is very infrequent. You can get complete LED marker/signal units and mount them somehow; making a complete assembly with adequate light is MUCH easier than making a conversion lamp to work with the stock lens and reflector.
Using LED turn signals will disable the stock flsher, it needs the higher load current from filament lamps. Adding "compensators" defeats the power saving of LED lamps - they are load resistors that draw the power a normal lamp would and just heat up. Just install a 3 wire electronic flasher and the LED signals will work with very little extra power draw. (The 3-wire flasher uses a bit of power to operate whereas the 2-terminal stock flasher uses the lamp power without any extra load)

Offline dusterdude

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Re: Experiences with LED's???
« Reply #9 on: October 17, 2006, 07:34:43 AM »
Beats the hell out of the candy-ass, pissing and moaning, soap-opera crap on the Open Forum, huh?
hahahahahahahahahahahaha :D
mark
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Offline burmashave

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Re: Experiences with LED's???
« Reply #10 on: October 17, 2006, 10:50:55 AM »
Beats the hell out of the candy-ass, pissing and moaning, soap-opera crap on the Open Forum, huh?

True, but not nearly as entertaining.
Quote from: SOHC Digger, RIP
'Ere's whatcha do, Guvna', just throw a couple dookie logs in the hearth and bob's your uncle!
'77 CB750k

Offline ProTeal55

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Re: Experiences with LED's???
« Reply #11 on: October 17, 2006, 01:08:15 PM »
Beats the hell out of the candy-ass, pissing and moaning, soap-opera crap on the Open Forum, huh?
True, but not nearly as entertaining.
What you all don't know that ProTeal55 and JP is one in the same.
I am just that messed up in the head that I like to publicly argue with myself... ;D
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